What is the ruling on using government vehicles after the end of official working hours?
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The questioner : Likewise, O Shaykh, what about using government vehicles outside of official working hours?
The Shaykh : Using what?
The questioner : Using government vehicles outside of official working hours.
The Shaykh : Yes, using government vehicles during official working hours or outside of official working hours, if it is not for the benefit of the work, is not permissible. This is because these vehicles belong to the state and to the state's work, so it is not permissible for anyone to use them for his personal work. The problem is that some people are lax regarding the wealth of the state, claiming that they have a right to the public treasury. We say: If you have a right to the public treasury, then every individual among the people also has a right to the public treasury. So why do you single yourself out? Why do you single yourself out and use it for yourself? If someone else from among the people, who may be more deserving than this man, came and wanted to use this vehicle for his personal purposes, would he not be prevented? So it is the same for this man. And if a person needs a car, let him buy a car with his own money.
The Shaykh : Using what?
The questioner : Using government vehicles outside of official working hours.
The Shaykh : Yes, using government vehicles during official working hours or outside of official working hours, if it is not for the benefit of the work, is not permissible. This is because these vehicles belong to the state and to the state's work, so it is not permissible for anyone to use them for his personal work. The problem is that some people are lax regarding the wealth of the state, claiming that they have a right to the public treasury. We say: If you have a right to the public treasury, then every individual among the people also has a right to the public treasury. So why do you single yourself out? Why do you single yourself out and use it for yourself? If someone else from among the people, who may be more deserving than this man, came and wanted to use this vehicle for his personal purposes, would he not be prevented? So it is the same for this man. And if a person needs a car, let him buy a car with his own money.